warm up

phrasal verb·6 senses·particle up

Meanings

1

Become warmer over time

Increase

Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.

“The room warmed up once we lit the fire.”
The room got noticeably warmer once we lit the fire.
“Wait for the engine to warm up.”
Wait for the engine to reach its working temperature.
2

Reheat food, drink or another object

Increase
“Could you warm up the soup?”
Could you reheat the soup?
“Warm the plates up before serving.”
Heat the plates a little before serving.
3

Do gentle exercises to prepare your body for harder activity

Increase
“The runners warmed up before the race.”
The runners did gentle exercises before the race.
“She warmed up with a few stretches.”
She prepared her body with a few stretches.
4

Become more relaxed, lively or enthusiastic, of a person or audience

Increaseuncommon
“He warmed up after a couple of drinks.”
He became more relaxed and chatty after a couple of drinks.
“The crowd took a while to warm up.”
The crowd took a while to become enthusiastic.
5

Start to like or accept someone or something

Increaseuncommon
“She warmed up to the idea over time.”
She slowly started to accept the idea.
“The shy dog warmed up to us after a few visits.”
The shy dog slowly started to trust us.
6

Entertain an audience to put them in a good mood before the main act

Getting Readyuncommon

Why “up”? People or conditions get ready before the main action begins.

“A comedian warmed up the crowd.”
A comedian put the crowd in a good mood before the main show.
“Music was used to warm the room up.”
Music was used to put the room in the right mood.

Test yourself

“The room warmed up once we lit the fire.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

back up

Same up pattern: increase

Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked

beef up

Same up pattern: increase

Strengthen or reinforce

blow up

Same up pattern: increase

Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious

build up

Same up pattern: increase

Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event

cheer up

Same up pattern: increase

Become happier or less miserable; Make someone else happier; (imperative) Stop being sad; used as encouragement

dress up

Same up pattern: increase

Put on smart or formal clothes; Wear a costume, often imitating someone or something; Make something look more attractive or impressive than it is

get up

Same up pattern: increase

Rise from bed or a seat; Move to a standing position; Increase in strength

go up

Same up pattern: increase

Rise in price or amount

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